Spurs target Vydra has sights set on the Premier League

He is the 20-year-old who this week claimed top prize at the Football
League Awards then scored a brace in a crucial World Cup qualifier.

Matej Vydra, named the Championship Player of the Year last Sunday,
certainly has a gift for timing. Numerous goalkeepers beaten by his
strikes this season will testify to that.

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In demand: Watford's Matej Vydra (left)

Vydra has so far scored 20 league goals to fire Watford into a challenge for Premier League promotion and, on Tuesday evening, he then netted his first two goals for the Czech Republic in a 3-0 win away to Armenia. The first was a towering header, the second a skilful turn and finish.

It is not unfair to say that right now he carries the hopes of his club and country on his shoulders, despite his tender years.

On Friday, Gianfranco Zola is likely to utilise Vydra at home to Burnley despite the long international round trip, such is the keenness to overtake second-placed Hull, who are two points ahead but do not play until Saturday. Then there is a crunch match at Hull four days later.

But, as Vydra's agent revealed to Sportsmail yesterday, his exploits have not gone unnoticed by bigger teams in England and around Europe. The Czech is on loan from Udinese - the Serie A side owned by Watford's Pozzo family - and after this remarkable debut campaign, it will probably take Premier League football to keep him at Vicarage Road.

Hot shot: Vydra scored twice for Czech Republic

Ondrej Chovanec has looked after his compatriot since he was 15 and explained the ideal situation is for Vydra to win promotion with Watford and stay.

But should the side fail, and any of five top-flight clubs monitoring his situation come calling, a transfer away becomes the clearest option. Tottenham have been touted. A £9million bid from an undisclosed Premier League side was made in January.

Russian media this week reported Lokomotiv Moscow want the £10m-rated forward, but Chovanec said: 'There is interest around Europe but he would like to remain in England. He likes the competition, the style. It suits him.

'To say what will happen is very difficult. There are eight games until the end of the season and maybe the play-offs.'

Watford came very close to securing his services permanently during January but with the Football League looking into loan regulations and bringing a separate third-party ownership case against the club, paperwork dragged. They could come to rue that missed chance. Chovanec added: 'He has something special.'